Mary MacKillop Penola Centre, Catholic heritage museum in Penola, Australia.
The Mary MacKillop Penola Centre is a museum in a small Australian town that focuses on a sisters' community founded in the 19th century. It displays exhibitions about the life of this community, their schools, and how they provided education for disadvantaged children.
The site was founded in 1860 to establish a religious community focused on school education. This movement grew into a large network of schools across Australia that served poor families.
The centre displays the life of Mary MacKillop and her work with Father Julian Tenison Woods, who together started a school and helped children in poor areas. Visitors see handwritten letters and personal items that show their daily work and commitment.
The museum is located in a central spot in Penola and is easy to reach on foot. Visitors should come in the morning or early afternoon, as it tends to be quieter then.
The building contains an original schoolhouse from the 19th century where classes were held and which is still visible today. This preserved classroom shows how children were taught in a simple setting back then.
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